2nd Annual Spring Eggstravaganza

Why Spring Eggstravaganza??

We sat down with April and asked her why.....

I grew up in a family that didn't have a lot of money but as kids we never knew it. My family had an interesting way of making memories... We did things together! We participated in the community and local events. And now as a mother, I want my daughter to grow up making memories too. I am a firm believer in the village concept in all aspects of my life. I think it takes a village to raise a family, a village to support a career and a village to build a community. A single individual only has a huge impact when they are joined with others as a village.

I was recently was asked why I am so passionate about the "Eggstravaganza" and other events here at the Heritage Village. It is all about making memories; in the end it's all we have.

One of the first Spring memories that comes to mind is an Egg Hunt that my mom doesn't even remember, but I remember like it was yesterday. There is a local radio station down the road from my current home. Today it looks like a rundown shack, but as a little girl it was a cottage with a meadow covered in a sea of beautiful wildflowers. Mom took my sister and I there for a countywide Egg Hunt. I don't remember how many eggs we got or what was in them. What I do remember is everyone having a good time and there being joy in the air and laughter in the wind; both from kids and adults.

Of course, Easter is huge in my family and it had several layers of memories. Granny always sewed us a new dress... this meant a trip to Gainesville for fabric (this only happened a few times a year back then). Bright white dress shoes, an Easter bonnet and gloves were also on the list. I still love this tradition although I have varied it a little for Alexis. Sunrise Service was held either at the ballfield or at the river, depending on the year; followed by Sunday Service in a church filled with Easter Lillies, and orchid corsage for my Mom (a tradition I continue every year even if she is only gonna wear it on the back of the motorcycle on the way to the flea-market), and Granny and Poppa's for lunch. Granny always knew how to cook for a bunch and our family qualified as a bunch of young-uns on any holiday. An aunt or uncle would hide the eggs while we ate and then we'd hunt for them all afternoon. Again, I don't remember there being filled eggs - I think they might have been empty and there wasn't a winner... just good old fashioned coconut cake for dessert on the porch. Can't ask for much better!

As I grew older the traditions changed some. We spent it at the beach a few times and had Easter at a Drive-In Church. That in itself is an experience! When I lived in Europe, Spring was celebrated for the entire Lent season and ended in a larger celebration of Easter. The "Stations of the Cross" consisted of a weekend trip including a bus ride and a hike all around the county to visit the different communities and see their decorations. Each station was depicted in beans and other vegetables, definitely art with a twist! The local county seat sponsored an "egg museum" for the month. Local artists decorated eggs and sold them all month long to be incorporated into the home décor of local families.

Palm Sunday had a huge parade through town that ended at the local church where the kids' "palms" were then used to decorate the church. There were no egg hunts but the Easter Bunny did leave hidden gifts around the neighborhood while we were at church.

See this time of year has so many memories that it is not hard to imagine why it is my favorite time of year next to Christmas and as I get older it might even be starting to take the lead. But the reason why I love it is that all my memories have to do with community and spending time together and being united. I want Alexis to grow up with an appreciation for those around her, a love of sharing what she has with others, a need to give back to the community - her village. That is why SuGaBuG Kids sponsors the Spring Eggstravaganza each year. We want to say thank you to the community for all their support throughout the year. It is our chance to be a part of a working village, to help bring joy to the kids and a smile to the adults as they think back to their childhood. Don't miss out on a chance of laughter, come out this Saturday, April 16th to the 2nd Annual Spring Eggstravaganza!